Date of Award

Fall 2025

Project Type

Thesis

Program or Major

Electrical and Computer Engineering

Degree Name

Master of Science

First Advisor

Edward Song

Second Advisor

John LaCourse

Third Advisor

Arturo Andrade

Abstract

Real-time monitoring of glutamate is essential for understanding its role in brain function, mood regulation, learning, and memory, and many others. However, achieving precise and highly resolved glutamate measurement both spatially and temporally is challenging due to many reasons including the lack of glutamate-binding receptors that can offer both target selectivity and continuous measurement capability. To address this, a novel-polymer based electrochemical biosensor has been developed to enhance sensitivity and selectivity for glutamate. This biosensor incorporates a novel innovative templated polymer, which is molecularly imprinted with the target molecules (glutamate) and therefore exhibits preferential binding to the analyte molecules. Additionally, the sensor demonstrated high selectivity against other potentially interfering species such as GABA, glycine, and aspartic acid, Furthermore, the reversible binding kinetics of the polymer-based receptors enable continuous monitoring capability without the need for the sensor regeneration. As a result, the sensor platform is able to track the rapidly changing concentrations of glutamate in real-time. These results indicate that the proposed sensor technology holds potential for monitoring glutamate in real physiological samples, including animal models with possible use in clinical settings.

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Available for download on Friday, November 20, 2026

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